HC Deb 16 March 1882 vol 267 c1017
MR. M'LAREN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he is aware that a young man is being prosecuted in the City of London for selling a religious periodical called the "War Cry" in the streets; and, whether he is prepared to direct the prosecution also of the persons who habitually obstruct the streets of London by offering for sale the indecent periodicals, with offensive contents bills, which have been hawked in public for the last nine months without any interference on the part of the police?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I know nothing of the circumstances, and I have no authority over the City Police or the City Magistrates in this matter. In regard to the latter part of the Question, it would be the duty of the police to prevent the public sale of such papers as the hon. Member refers to.